Shoe structure for train-control systems.



E. w. GORSUCH.

SHOE STRUCTURE FOR -TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS.

APPLlCATlON FILED AUG. I6. 1916- LQQLEIUW Patented Apr. 3,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI" I.

E. w. GORS-UCHI SHOE STRUCTURE FOR TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS.v

APPLICATION FILED 'AUG1I6| I9I6- 1,21, :2 w. Patented Apr. 3,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

aww/wboz SHOE STRUCTURE FOR TRAIN-CONTROL SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917..

Original application filed December 11, 1915, Serial No. 66,284. Divided and this application filed August 16, 1916. Serial No. 115,213.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EDWIN W. GonsUor-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe Structures for Train-Control Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accom panying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in shoe structures for train control systems, one object of the invention being the provision of a shoe adapted to engage a ramp rail and which is simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, and thoroughly eflicient and practical in use.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a shoe for cooperation with a ramp rail to actuate a venting valve for an air brake system, the main structure of which is made from an integral piece of metal and comprises substantially two curved arms having a supporting terminal by means of which the shoe is mounted for swinging movement and a U-shaped valve engaging member bridging the opposite terminal, there being provided a removable wear resisting member adjacent the U-shaped member for engaging the ramp rail.

This application in part is a division of my application for improvements in automatic train control systems, filed December 11, 1915, Serial Number, 66,284.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the support for the present shoe and the valve controlled thereby, the valve and other mechanism being shown merely to indicate the relative position of the shoe.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe per 86.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the supporting end of a modified form of shoe.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the supporting platform and the forward end of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view ofithat portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the platform or supporting base which is hung in any desired manner from the vehicle carrying the same, and has mounted thereupon the air brake controlling mechanism 11, the detail construction of which is particularly set forth in my beforementioned application, while attached to the under side of the platform 10 by means of the bolts 12 is a sheet 13 of insulation which receives the metal plate 14 carrying the downwardly projecting obstruction removing arms 15. The bolts 12 are mounted in bushings 16 of insulation.

Also supported by the bolts 12 are the two clamping plates 17 and 18, each supporting therebetween a series of plates 19, which with the clamping plates 17 and 18, provide an adjustable support for the bushings 20 which are carried upon the reduced portions 21 of the bridging and connecting plate 22 of the shoe 23.

This shoe, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, consists of the two curved arms 24 connected at their opposite terminals by the bridging strip 25 which has riveted or otherwise. secured thereto as at 26 the ramp rail engaging and wear resisting plate 27 which is of a harder material than the shoe, so that when the same is worn, a new one may be substituted without changing the shoe.

A U-shaped member 28 which is also carried by the free terminals of the arm 24 is adapted to fit astride of the platform 10 and be disposed in cooperative relation with the valve mechanism 11.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the obstruction engaging arms 15 are secured to the platform 10 by means of bolts 29, so that the rearwardly extending arm 30 having the hook 31 will engage intermediate of the ends thereof the sectional bushing 32 which extends the full width of the supporting bar 22 of the shoe 23, while the two strap supports 33 are secured by bolts 34 to the platform 10' and receive the portions of the bushing 32 at the opposite sides of the hook 31. As the shoe 23' has a limited swinging movement, it has been found in practice that a sectional bushing such as here set forth and shown will operate properly and will reduce the cost of installation and maintenance.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each arm 24 is provided with an opening 35 for the reception of the lower end of the respective rods 36 which extend upwardly for sliding movement through openings in the platform 10, and are guided in the inverted cylindrical casings 37 so that the spring 38 mounted In a train control apparatus, a suitable support, two spaced curved arms, a flat connectlon between the two arms at one end thereof, a bushing surrounding the connection and journaled to the support, a ramp abutting member bridging the opposite ends ofthe arms, and a U-shaped bridging memher having its terminals connected to the 7 arms.

3. A ramp actuated shoe for train control systems,.including two curved arms, a flat strip connecting the supporting ends of said arms, and-a removable ramp engaging-member of greater wear resisting material than the'arms connected to the other ends of the arms;

4. A ramp actuated shoe for train control systems, including two curved arms, a flat strip connecting the supporting ends of said arms, a removable ramp engaging member of greater wear resisting material than the arms connected to the other ends of the arms, and a U-shaped member attached to both arms. I

5. A ramp actuated shoe for train control systems, including two curved arms, a flat :strip connecting the supporting ends of said arms, a removable ramp engaging member of greater wear reslstmg materlal than the arms connected to the other ends of the Copies of this pat ent may be obtained for arms, and a U-shaped member having the terminals thereof connected to the curved arms adjacent the ramp engaging member.

6. A ramp actuated shoe for train control. systems, including two curved arms, a flat strip connecting the supporting ends of said arms, a removable ramp engaging member of greater wear resisting material than the arms connected to the other ends of the arms, two rods pivotally connected to the curved arms intermediate of their ends, and a spring mounted upon each rod for resiliently holding the arms downwardly.

7. A ramp actuated shoe for train control systems, including two curved arms, a flat strip connecting the supporting ends of said arms, a removable ramp engaging member of greater wear resisting material than the arms connected to the other ends of the arms, two rods pivotally connected to the curved arms intermediate of their ends, a spring mounted upon each rod for resiliently holding the arms downwardly, and a U-shaped member having the terminals thereof connected to the curved arms adj acentthe ramp engaging member.

8. The combination with a platform, of a ramp engaging shoe structure including two curved arms, a bridging member connected to two ends thereof and forming a pivotal. support for said arms, a strip bridging the free ends of said arms and forming a ramp engaging portion, a valve engaging member carried by the free ends of said arms and disposed to fit astride the support, two rods connected pivotally intermediate of the ends of the curved arms, two casings mounted upon the support, and forming guides for said rods, and a spring mounted upon each rod and exerting pressure upon its casing and its arm to resiliently depress the shoe.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWIN W. GORSUCH.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

